The Final Bow: Stepinac’s Football Awards Dinner
The 2015 New York State CHSAA and CHSFL AAA Champions took their final bow for their remarkable season at the Stepinac High School Football Awards Dinner, at The Women’s Club of White Plains, on Wednesday, Jan. 13.
The 2015 Stepinac Varsity Crusaders remained undefeated at 12-0 and won both the Catholic High School Football League (CHSFL) and Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) Championships to complete an historical season.
All three team levels of Stepinac football were recognized at the event and team awards for each level were presented to distinguished players.
The Crusaders Freshmen Football Team finished the season at 7-1, under the guidance of Head Coach Joe Palatucci. The Freshmen Team Most Valuable Player this year is running back/cornerback C.J. Wise, who really could play any position on the field.
The Stepinac Junior Varsity Team led by Head Coach Joe Venice achieved a 9-3 record this season, while making it through the First Two Rounds of the Playoffs to play in the CHSFL AAA Championship.
The JV Crusaders were defeated by St. Anthony’s High School in the Championship game, but regardless Venice announced. “In our hearts we think we were the better team.” The MVP of the 2015 Crusaders Junior Varsity Team is running back/middle linebacker Justin Hairston.
When a team completes an 11-0 CHSFL season and goes on to win the CHSAA NYS Championship and secure an undefeated 12-0 record; it is a very special distinction as a member of that team to be recognized with a Team Award.
The 2015 Stepinac Varsity Football Team Awards included: Offensive Skills Player of the Year, wide receiver Jesse Brown; Defensive Skills Player of the Year, defensive back Jaychar Howell; Most Improved Player, cornerback/running back Malik Crawford; Offensive Lineman of the Year, tackle David Harris; Defensive Lineman of the Year, Malcom Koonce; Joseph Riverso Award for Lineman of the Year, center Khaleb Celaj; Defensive MVP, linebacker Daniel Negron and Offensive MVP, quarterback Tyquell Fields.
The most heralded Team Award presented to a player on the undefeated Stepinac NYS Championship Team was awarded to wide receiver/cornerback Terrell “T.J.” Morrison, who was distinguished with the team’s 2015 Most Valuable Player Award.
“It was really a team effort, they pushed me so hard and they never made me feel like the weight was on my shoulders but I knew it was on my shoulders,” said Morrison. “I just knew that I had to do what I had to do for my team because they were going to do the same for me,” stated Morrison, who had 10 offers from Division 1 colleges but has decided to take his enormous talents to Stony Brook University.
The Team presented Stepinac Principal Paul Carty, the organizer of the Awards Dinner each year, with the CHSFL Championship Trophy and CHSAA NYS Championship Plaque to hang in the halls of Stepinac High School.
Crusaders Head Coach Mike O’Donnell has coached at Stepinac for 35 years and he gave his 2015 Football Team, the ultimate distinction. “I have been here since 1980 and since I have been here this is definitely the best football team that has played here at Stepinac,” proclaimed O’Donnell.
The 2015 Stepinac Football Awards Dinner concluded as the team gathered to watch a video by Rob Piechim, which showed highlights of games, instances and events, during their historical season.
